A marriage is a service where two different people or a couple of are united in relationship. Wedding customs and customs range greatly between ethnicities, ethnic communities, religions, countries, and public classes. Most marriages require an exchange of relationship vows by the few, presentation of your gift idea (offering, ring(s), symbolic item, plants, money), and a open public proclamation of matrimony by an expert body or celebrant. Special wedding clothing tend to be worn, and the service is sometimes accompanied by a marriage reception. Music, poetry, prayers or readings from spiritual texts or books are also commonly designed into the wedding ceremony.

Some civilizations have adopted the original Traditional western custom of the white wedding, when a bride would wear a white bridal dress and veil. This traditions was popularized through the relationship of Queen Victoria. Some say Victoria's selection of a white dress may have simply been an indicator of extravagance, but may are also affected by the prices she kept which emphasized intimate purity. Within the present day 'white wedding' custom, a white dress and veil are uncommon selections for a woman's second or succeeding wedding.

The usage of a wedding wedding ring is definitely part of spiritual weddings in European countries and America, however the origins of the traditions is unclear. One opportunity is the Roman opinion in the Vena amoris, that was thought to be a blood vessels vessel that ran from the 4th finger (band finger) right to the heart and soul. Thus, whenever a couple wore jewelry upon this finger, their hearts were linked. Historian Vicki Howard highlights that the opinion in the "old" quality of the practice is most probably a modern technology. "Double wedding ring" ceremonies are also today's practice, a groom's strap not appearing in america until the early on 20th century.

Most religions identify a long term union with founded ceremonies and rituals. Some religions enable polygamous relationships or same-sex relationships. Many Religious faiths highlight the bringing up of children as important in a relationship. In Judaism, matrimony is so important that left over unmarried is regarded as unnatural. Islam also suggests matrimony highly; among other activities, it can help in the quest for spiritual perfection.